Continuing Support of Cement Manufacturing

Summary:

Cement manufacturers and their customers rely on the NIST Portland cement SRMs for laboratory qualification under ASTM International C 114-07 Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement. Consequently, the demand for NIST cement Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) is strong year after year. As these SRMs go out of stock, they are replaced with appropriate materials. Under this project, support includes consultation and collaboration with the NIST Building and Fire Research Laboratory, the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory, and the Construction Technologies Laboratory of the Portland Cement Association.

Description:

NIST SRMs for Portland cement and related materials are the de facto world standards for validation of analytical methods for testing of cement for compliance with manufacturing specifications and for qualification of laboratories throughout the supply chain, including cement plants, construction contractors, and government departments of transportation. The goals of this program are to:

Maintain the availability and increase the utility of certified reference materials for cement and related materials

Collaborate with the private sector through standards development organizations and industry associations

Make use of multiple methods of analysis at NIST and collaborating laboratories

Contribute to development of new and improved standard methods of test.

Additional Technical Details:

Design of materials for new SRMs is accomplished in cooperation with materials and analysis experts from industry. Specifications for composition, homogeneity, and quantity are based on current and projected industry needs. Value-assignment projects are designed to include high-performance analytical methods at NIST, state-of-the-art laboratory methods in industry, and classical chemistry methods where available and appropriate.

Major Accomplishments:

During the past two years, the renewal of the SRM 1880a series began again and will occur over the next four years. SRM 1880b Portland Cement value assignment activities are finished, and this material will be available soon.